City's legal costs mount for Dutra

The city's legal costs in opposing a proposed asphalt plant south of town now stand at $47,820, according to public records obtained by the Argus-Courier.

The costs come from attorney's fees billed between February 2009 until the end of 2010. They include $17,151 in March 2009 and $8,276 in October 2010.

Petaluma has paid for the preparation of position papers to the Board of Supervisors and had its legal counsel review legal documents filed on the city's behalf. The City Council unanimously opposes the plant, proposed by the Dutra Group.

Meyers-Nave, the city's legal firm, charges $195 per hour on specialty areas including litigation and environmental issues, which is on par with average legal rates.

- Argus-Courier Staff